Sat, 24 Nov 2001, 09:52 AM Gwynn Golf Classic Raises $83,000

Courtesy of Scott Sebastian For Miami Project and Recovery Fund

DAVIE, Fla. -- In a tribute to one of drag racing's greatest sons, friends and family from coast-to-coast gathered this past weekend in South Florida to participate in the 12th Annual Darrell Gwynn Golf Classic benefiting The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and the Darrell Gwynn Recovery Fund.

Held at the Grand Palms Golf and Country Club in Pembroke Pines, Fla., over 160 golfers helped raise $83,000 while enjoying a four-man golf scramble golf, dinner, prizes, and both a standard and silent auction. To date, over $700,000 has been raised benefiting both funds.

"It was a great event that has become a traditional pre-Thanksgiving gathering in South Florida," said Gwynn/Steinbrenner Racing co-owner Darrell Gwynn. "The Miami Project is near and dear to my heart and to have so many family and friends take time out of their busy schedule to contribute to such a great cause means so much to my family and I. We are forever indebted to all those who share in our quest for the 'Race For A Cure' and are humbled by the generosity of all those who participated."

Recently recognized as one of NHRA's Top 50 all-time greatest drivers, Gwynn, 40, was a professional drag racer when his driving career was cut short after an on-track racing accident on Easter Sunday in 1990 in which his dragster broke nearly in half and collided into the guardrail at nearly 280-mph during an exhibition run at Santa Pod Raceway outside London. The accident left Gwynn a quadriplegic and amputee of his left arm below the elbow.

"The tournament is about giving hope to me and thousands of others who suffer from paralysis," added Gwynn. "The Miami Project has blessed our family with a beautiful daughter (Katie Brianne, age 3) and continues to be the inspiration for people like me.

"Every day, through the research of the world's greatest scientists at the Miami Project, we are moving closer to finding a cure that will allow people like myself to gain the ability to walk again. And someday we will."

This year's title sponsors included RJ Reynolds, People Against Drugs and Acura of South Florida. Other participating sponsors included Winnebago Industries, Maroone Chevrolet and the Ft. Lauderdale Harley-Davidson.

Paralyzed Floridian Receives Customized Powered Wheelchair

Gwynn/Steinbrenner Racing (GSR) and Quickie Wheelchairs by Sunrise Medical have teamed-up again in their ongoing community relations program that provides spinal cord injured patients with enhanced mobility.

William Becke, of Barefoot Bay, Florida, received a P-222 high-end power wheelchair in post-golfing activities at the 12th annual Darrell Gwynn Golf Classic held this past weekend. Becke, the father of former NHRA Miss Winston Jackie Becke, was injured in a car accident in 1993 where he was left with a C-5 spinal cord injury leaving him paralyzed and in need of a powered chair.

"What a wonderful gift," said William Becke. "I feel so fortunate to have received this Quickie powered-wheelchair. The independence that my new chair has given me has already changed my life dramatically. I want to thank Sunrise Medical, Quickie Design and Gwynn/Steinbrenner Racing and especially Darrell Gwynn, for being such an inspiration for all those who suffer paralysis caused from spinal cord injuries."

As an advocate for the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and its ongoing research to cure paralysis, Gwynn is spokesman for both patients with spinal cord injuries and for spinal cord injury-cure research, Gwynn has helped raise awareness through his partnership with Colorado-based Sunrise Medical and Quickie Design in providing over $80,000 in high-end powered wheelchairs to under privileged families this season. His dedication in finding a 'Race For A Cure' has branched out to include mobility-sensitive corporate partners including GM Mobility, and Winnebago Industries.

"Having the opportunity to enhance the quality of life for someone like Bill (Becke) is what this program is all about," GSR co-owner Gwynn. "Since my injury 11-years ago, I've relied on Quickie for increased performance and comfort and it has made a world of difference in my life.

"Furthermore, through our association with NHRA, RJ Reynolds and their Winston brand, we have been fortunate to develop a great friendship with Becke family and are thrilled to be able to provide Bill his new P-222 powered chair. Jackie (Becke) has been a wonderful ambassador to the sport of drag racing and with her father, are well deserving of this gift."

Gwynn/Steinbrenner Racing fields the New York Yankees dragster in NHRA Winston Drag Racing's Top Fuel division. The team is led by a partnership including Darrell Gwynn and his father, Jerry, along with Hank Steinbrenner and his father, George, baseball's famed New York Yankees owner. The team's race car is driven by veteran Mike Dunn and tuned by award-winning crew chief Ken Veney and Todd Smith.